42 
WEST WING. 
sea-rushes, or sea-ropes) preserved in spirit. They live at the 
bottom of the sea, with their lower end fixed in the sand and 
mud, and their skeleton is never more than a straight internal 
axial rod. 
Two table-cases at the western end of the gallery contain the 
PoLYZOA, a group of small animals which, like corals, are supported 
by a calcareous or horny plant-like growth, but in their internal 
structure are more nearly related to the Mollusca, a class 
exhibited in the adjoining gallery. Many fine specimens of 
this group, as well as others exhibited in this gallery, were 
obtained on the exploring voyage of H.M.S. " Challenger." 
Approached through the Coral Gallery, and running backwards 
at right angles with it, are a number of galleries containing other 
portions of the zoological collections. 
Fish Gallery. I. The Fish Gallery, which is nearest to the Central Hall, 
contains the exhibited portion of the collection of Fishes, the 
greater number of which, preserved in spirit, are placed for 
safety in a detached building behind the Museum, where they 
are available for study under suitable regulations. The gallery 
contains stuffed examples and skeletons of all the most remark- 
able members of the class, the peculiarities of which are 
pointed out in a special guide-book.* 
The wall-cases on the west side of the room (right on entering) 
and at its end contain the fishes with completely osseous 
skeletons, a division to which belong by far the greater part of 
the species now inhabiting the waters of the globe. Large and 
remarkable examples are placed in separate cases opposite to 
the wall-cases ; and as the colours of fishes are very fugitive, and 
disappear more or less completely after death, some of the stuffed 
examples have been painted from life, to show the extraordinary 
brilliancy of many of the tropical kinds. The fishes allied to the 
Perch (case 1), Gurnard (case 8), Mackerel (case 10), Sword-fish 
(case 13), Wrasse (case 15), Codfish and Plaice (case 17), Catfish 
(case 18), Salmon (case 21), Pike (case 22), Eel (case 23), are 
represented by numerous examples, the last of which is that, 
at least in external form, most remarkable fish, the Sunfish 
or Orthagoriscus. 
The Fish Gallery, for want of room, has been extended to 
* ' Guide to the Reptiles and Fishes.' Price sixpence. 
